Jacob Lusk, the Luther Vandross clone on this season’s “American Idol,” had both the best and worst performances of the night Wednesday, and just could be the one voted off Thursday.

In a week that had the contestants, now down to the final five, sing two songs each -- one from their “current” generation, and one from their parents’ -- Lusk started with a really awful and off-key version of Jordan Sparks’ and Chris Brown’s “No Air.”

But he ended with a soul version of Nazareth’s “Love Hurts” that was inventive, interesting and certainly heartfelt.

That contrast demonstrated how desultory – and unspectacular – this season has been.

With no real standout, nor, honestly, anyone who really strikes me as someone who could be a commercial success, it seems it’s really almost anyone’s game.

James Durbin, the judges' presumed winner all season, also had his worst performance on the show so far.

Here’s how I rank all the performances:

1. Jacob Lusk: Nazareth’s “Love Hurts” It was very, very good. “Idol” judges always talk about changing up songs, but this may be the first reinvention that I thought was sincere. Funky and full of feeling. Not perfect – his voice cracked once, but by far the night’s best. Judge Jennifer Lopez called it “Really amazing.”

2. Lauren Alaina – “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers. Not spectacular, but pretty solid. Which should tell you how bad the rest of the performances were. Lopez called it “A beautiful song done beautifully.”

3. James Durbin -- “Without You” by Harry Nilsson. Strayed a little into the Adam Lambert territory, but it was good, and he certainly felt it. He had tears in his eyes. Judge Randy Jackson said it was “Emotionally perfect”

4. Scotty McCreery: Elvis’ “You Were Always on My Mind.” When this was announced, I thought it was a perfect song for McCreery and that he would knock it out of the park. Instead, it was a little off and a little weak. Lopez said it was “So beautiful.”

5. Scotty McCreery: “Gone” by Montgomery Gentry. Totally unspectacular but not nearly as bad as the rest.

6. Haley Reinhart: The Animals’ “House of the Rising Sun.” A little too screamy and growly. But not horrible. Jackson called it “Best performance of the night. Amazing.” It most certainly was not.

7. Lauren Alaina: “Flat on the Floor” by Carrie Underwood. Totally unspectacular.Jackson said, “I thought it was amazing,” and judge Steven Tyler, “As Good as it gets.” It emphatically was neither.

8. HaleyReinhart: An unreleased Lady Gaga song, “You and I.” It was growly and screamy and not very good. Of coach Jimmy Iovine’s direction for Reinhart to sing the song, Lopez said, “I’m just not sure that was the best advice.” An understatement.

9. James Durbin -- “Closer to the Edge” by 30 Seconds to Mars. Flat and monotone, it was Durbin’s worst performance of the season by far. Yet Tyler said, “I think you kicked that song’s ass.” Now keep in mind that Tyler’s a drug addict. Er, “recovering” drug addict.

Despite having the best performance of the night, Lusk will be in the bottom three, as will McCreery and Reinhart. After many weeks in the bottom three, I think Reinhart finally is gone, though it could be Lusk.